HB 2365, refining Washington’s Digital Equity Act, failed to pass the February 17 house-of-origin cutoff. AWC does not expect the bill to make a return before the end of the legislative session but believes it is likely to return in the future.

Expansions to state’s digital equity work tidied up, greenlit by policy committee

February 6, 2026

HB 2365 was amended in the House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Committee on January 27 and then passed out of the committee by a vote along partisan lines.

The amendments were largely confined to the aspects of the bill related to implementation, making additions and adjustments to definitions, reporting and consultation requirements, dates, and stipends for Digital Equity Forum members.

In response to the anticipated fiscal impact of the legislation on the relevant administering agencies, the reporting requirements were made subject to future appropriation, beginning July 1, 2027. The Department of Commerce recently lost $15 million in previously expected federal grants for conducting digital equity work in Washington, which otherwise would have been directed to the Digital Opportunity Program addressed in the bill. The bill also authorizes Commerce, when administering the Digital Opportunity Program, to prioritize program activities according to availability of federal or private matching funds.

AWC continues to support the policy goals of the legislation and encourages cities with similar goals to support the bill as it moves through the Legislature.

HB 2365 was heard in the House Appropriations Committee last week and is scheduled for a vote in that committee on Monday, February 9, at 10:30 am.

Expanding broadband access and adoption to those most in need

January 16, 2026

One of the Legislature’s top digital equity champions is back this year with another attempt at refining state law to increase opportunities for underserved residents to access the internet and build essential digital navigation skills.

Rep. Mia Gregerson (D–SeaTac) has sponsored HB 2365, which makes a wide range of updates to the state’s Digital Equity Act passed in 2022. She introduced a similar bill in 2024, which AWC wrote about at the time.

Importantly, this year’s bill increases the state’s definition of broadband service to 100 megabits per second download and 20 megabits per second upload speeds (up from 25/3 megabits per second), improving the state’s minimum standard significantly to align with current technology. It also redefines “low-income household” to include a larger set of households than currently included.

The legislation expands the charge of the Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO), directing it to encourage, foster, develop, and improve broadband adoption and digital equity, in addition to affordable and quality broadband. It also directs the agency to coordinate with anchor institutions and relevant state agencies to improve broadband adoption. The term “community anchor institution” includes various public and nonprofit entities that can offer broadband connectivity or facilitate the use of broadband service by underserved populations. In its work with other state agencies, WSBO must develop, coordinate implementation of, and monitor progress in implementing a state digital equity plan, and the bill specifies various details such as new deadlines and reporting requirements.

The Digital Equity Forum, established in 2024 as part of the Digital Equity Act, must also incorporate broadband adoption and digital equity in the work it does for the state to advance digital connectivity. This work includes developing recommendations, collaborating with local and tribal governments and other partners, conducting public outreach, and supporting the state’s digital equity planning grant program.

Finally, while availability of federal digital equity funds for Washington is still in question, the state’s Digital Opportunity Program is authorized to expand its grant funding to digital equity programs that provide:

• Access to hardware and software, including accessibility tools and online service costs;
• Small-scale internet connectivity projects, including wireless mesh installations, that enable more affordable internet in low-income housing and limited areas;
• Fundamentals of generative artificial intelligence literacy, digital media literacy, and online safety and privacy cybersecurity training; and
• Assistance in the adoption of information and communications technologies for low-income and underserved populations through digital navigators, digital skills training, and related approaches.

AWC supports the bill. Digital equity and literacy are a priority for Washington’s cities and towns. Expanding broadband adoption is important for ensuring that all Washingtonians have equitable access to, and are prepared to navigate, the digital world, especially those in underserved and unserved areas of the state.

Date to remember

HB 2365 is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Committee on Tuesday, January 20, at 10:30 am.